AIM To investigate the role of NF-kappa B(NF-κB) and
gelatinase B in the pathogenesis of
mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis(MPG) and if
Cordyceps sinensis can be used in the therapy of MPG. METHODS Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups. One group received only physiological saline by gavage as controls. The MPG model was prepared in a 8-week course as described in literature. On d 10 after the beginning of model preparation the Cordyceps sinensis group was gavaged with fertilized Cordyceps sinensis dry powder suspended in saline 4.95 mg·g -1 ·d -1 for 46 d. Eight rats of each group were sacrificed at the end of 4th week. The rest were sacrificed at the end of 8th week. The kidneys of each rat were separately harvested. The microwave-based immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the
expression of NF-κB and
gelatinsae B. Twenty-four-hour urine volume, 24-h urine protein, urine erythrocyte and serum creatinine in rats were also examined. RESULTS The expression of NF-κB and gelatinsae B in model group and Cordyceps sinensis group was higher than that of control group. Compared with the model group, the protein expression of NF-κB of Cordyceps sinensis group in glomerulus 〔(49.0±3.7)% vs (68.4±9.2)%〕 and renal tubule〔(39.7±6.8)% vs (78.7± 9.0)%〕 was lower. The protein expression of gelatinsae B of the Cordyceps sinensis group in glomerulus 〔(18.0±2.6)% vs (28.3± 8.6)%〕 was also lower. Compared with the model group, the mRNA expression of NF-κB and gelatinsae B of the Cordyceps sinensis group in nephritis tissue was lower. CONCLUSION Overexpression of NF-κB and gelatinsae B may play an important role in the pathogenesis of MPG. The Cordyceps sinensis can restrain the activity of NF-κB and adjust the expression of the gelatinase B.